Below are updates from Berks County business and organizations as shared with us while the area is impacted by operational restrictions and as ongoing social distancing methods occur…
Redner's Warehouse Markets is asking that during the hours of 6-7:30am shopping be reserved for those at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. This includes those age 60+, the immune-compromised, those considered at high health risk, and pregnant women. Guests are also asked to refrain from bringing reusable shopping bags into the store to minimize possible virus spread. Cashiers will automatically issue single-use, plastic bags until further notice.
Van Scoy Jewelers in Wyomissing will be making the following adjustments: someone will be available in the store to assist with any items you wish to pick up or drop off. Appointment hours will also be offered between 10am and 5pm, Mon-Fri. You can chat with Van Scoy directly via their website (vanscoy.com), email at email@vanscoy.com or by calling 610.374.9330 and someone will respond as soon as possible. Van Scoy's plan is to follow the government-mandated suggestion of non-essential businesses closing for a two-week time-fame. This will be updated as needed.
For those in or passing through the Northern Berks area, Trainer's Midway Diner in Bethel shared they are offering take-out only starting March 18. Hours will be Mon-Fri, 6am-7pm. Temporarily closed Sat & Sun. If you or someone you know is in Pennsylvania near the Berks County area and are looking for a hot meal, please let them know Trainer's Midway Diner has take-out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Call 717.933.4402.
Over the next few weeks, Katie K Active will be sharing content with the hashtag #stayhomestayfit. The posts will discuss the ways to stay happy and healthy at home during this difficult time. Katie K Active will share at-home workout routines, healthy meal ideas, books to read, podcasts they are listening too, pictures of pets...and they encourage you to share, too! If you would like, join their thriving Facebook group: Women who #DefineBrave.
Paisley & Company will close its Kutztown store per the Governor's orders, but you can still shop with them online at paisleyandcompany.com. Free shipping will be offered on orders over $30. Local delivery is being offered to their Kutztown area customers on weekdays for $3. To place an order, call 484.646.9515. Porch pick-up at the store is also available weekdays between Noon-4pm.
Bell Tower Salon Spa, Wyomissing will suspend operations per the Governor's orders. However, beginning March 18, free shipping and curbside pick-up will be available for retail orders. Call or text 610.372.6379 to place your order and select your method of receiving it.
The Salt Lounge in Wyomissing will be closed during the state mandate, but gift cards can be purchased. Also, their Blood Drive on March 28 from 10am-3pm is ON! It is extremely important that we support the blood bank. There is an urgent need for blood donors. This pandemic is putting the nation's blood supply at risk and this is a very direct way for you to help. The blood mobile will be in The Salt Lounge parking lot. Appointments are spaced out and you will be in a clean, safe environment. You can read more about how this pandemic is affecting blood supply by clicking here- https://www.giveapint.org. Anyone that donates will receive a free salt session to use at a later date. If you cannot make it to the parking lot that day, please consider a donation directly with Miller Keystone at this time. Here is the link to sign up- https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/81273.
Iron Roots Salon in West Lawn is closed at this time, but will add extra operational hours once they get the go-ahead to reopen. In the meantime, if you find yourself without a product in your beauty regiment, contact the salon. They will be taking retail and gift card orders. 484.509.4531
PJ Whelihan's in West Lawn is open for takeout only. You can call ahead and even have an employee bring your order to your vehicle. Hours are daily, 11:30am-7:30pm. 484.525.4400
Deerfoot Vineyards & Winery, Shoemakersville, is offering wine shipping & delivery. Because they have a shipping license, they can ship wine or deliver to your home or place of business (within 15 miles). Curbside service is also available at their farm. They will package and put wine in your trunk without you even needing to exit your vehicle. View their wine list at: http://wine.deerfootfarm.com/shop/. For more info and pick-ups, call 484.575.1484.
Go Fish! Seafood & Sushi, Sinking Spring, is offering take out lunch and dinner, as well as delivery in Sinking Spring Borough. For more info and to place your order, call 610.376.6446.
West Reading has put together a great list of businesses open for business during the pandemic. Click here for a complete listing as of March 18 and for ongoing updates in the discussion tab: https://www.facebook.com/events/542319586412932/.
Oasis Dog Spa & Shoppe in Muhlenberg is closed for grooming, but the store items are available for curbside pick-up. For more info call 610.816.5492.
Mission BBQ in Wyomissing remains open for local curbside pick-up, free local deliveries for orders of $25+ and those deliveries can be contact-free. For more info call 484.509.0019.
Starting March 20, Tompkins VIST Bank branch locations will transition to serving customers by drive-up or appointment only. To make an appointment, customers may call their preferred branch or the Tompkins VIST Bank Care Center at 1.888.238.3330. Digital Banking remains available 24/7 for many banking needs, including depositing checks, paying bills, and more. Other service options include: full-service 24 hour ATMs and night drop depositories (available at most branches).
E-gift cards are available for Lords & Ladies Salon and Medical Spa locations and are 20 percent off. For every $300 in e-gift cards purchased, get a free pair of Sorrelli Dainty Drop earrings through May 10. Redeemable starting Mother's Day, May 10. For more info and to purchase visit https://www.lordsandladiessalons.com/gift-cards.html.
United Artists Salon & Spa in West Reading is offering a special through April 30. With the purchase of $100 in e-gift cards, receive an additional $20 in value. Gift cards are good May 1 through July 31. Order using the code SPRING100 at this address: https://www.unitedartistssalon.com/gift-cards/.
Want to do some online jewelry shopping? Sorrelli has you covered. Schedule a virtual shopping appointment with Elaine at this link: https://calendly.com/sorrelli-virtual/virtual-shopping?month=2020-03
Bella Jules Fashion Boutique in West Reading is offering 20 percent off of gift cards and purchases with the code SHOP20. More stock is being uploaded online. Visit https://bellajulesboutique.com/.
Get ice cream delivered to your door by Sweet Ride Ice Cream. Pints- $5.95, quarts- $7.95, 2.5 gallon cartons -$30, ice cream pies - $20.99 plus tax, and ice cream cupcakes - $15.99 plus tax. Pints and quarts are currently available in all flavors (as of 3/23). Carton flavors are limited and they can tell you what’s available when you call to order. Simply call 610.823.0265, place your order, pay with a credit card and your ice cream will be delivered the next day, right to your door! (Berks County deliveries.) The driver will place your delivery at your front door and call you to let you know it is ready.
Looking to get outside? Check out the Berks Nature story hike throughout the woodland trail at Angelica Creek Park! Remember to stay at least 6 feet apart while hiking on any trails! For more info and activities visit their Facebook page.
Enjoy free online yoga classes, meditation and more from the Kula Kamala Foundation & Yoga Ashram on their Facebook page via Facebook Live. Find them and a complete schedule at @KulaKamalaFoundation.
Exercise is important during this time - for both physical and mental wellness. Body Zone Sports and Wellness in Wyomissing has you covered. Like and follow them on Facebook for a virtual at-home fitness line-up (@bodyzonesports). And visit them online at https://bodyzonesports.com/bz-at-home/ to work out at home and get free resources from their fitness partners.
Want to support a local business now by purchasing a gift card to use later? FXV Digital Design in Wyomissing has put together a great guide that makes it easy. Check it out here: https://www.fxvdigital.com/support-local-business/?fbclid=IwAR3yrY_XFWByMciaMmHC_7CbaIvwUlm3-QwLRtnPu24DKmkeYYn4buHuhqs
More than ever, Helping Harvest is in need of donations to help continue its mission of delivering food to vulnerable populations. If you can help, please donate by visiting https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1413032
Looking to keep the kids busy? Reading School District has a resource page for Family Activities here: https://www.readingsd.org/familyactivities
If you're the parent of a high-schooler, Reading High has some resources geared to high school students here: https://www.facebook.com/RHSREDKNIGHTS/
Esterbrook Pharmacy, Reading is now offering curbside drop-off/pick-up by calling 610.376.6542.
Local musicians have banded together to entertain locals and beyond. Have you heard? Join their Facebook group: Berks County Quarantine Open Mic page, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/219199146151548/
United Way of Berks County is launching the Berks COVID-19 Response Fund for individuals, foundations and corporations to donate money to help those most impacted by the pandemic. Funds will be distributed to local health and human service nonprofits with experience and expertise in providing food, essential supplies and other crucial assistance to Berks Countians in need. Contributions made to the Berks COVID-19 Response Fund will be distributed to local 501(c)3 nonprofits through an application process. The funding decisions will be made by local volunteers and professionals with experience evaluating critical needs and making funding decisions. The process will be similar to United Way’s Rapid Response Grant process, which has a proven track record of evaluating grants and providing funding quickly. Please visit www.uwberks.org to make a donation today, or text UWBCGIVE to 85511. Also of note, Customers Bank has announced it will match all individual giving to the Fund up to $100,000. A list of frequently asked questions about the Berks COVID-19 Response Fund can also be found at uwberks.org. All donations received, minus any credit card fees, will go directly to the fund.
Weaver's Orchard is providing curbside pick-up for essentials like produce, cider, dairy products, eggs, bread and deli sandwiches, soups and salads. Orders should be placed 3 hours ahead of pick-up. Call 610.856.7300 with your shopping list. Minimum order must be $20. This is for food items only, excludes non-edible items. Staff will call you with the total when the order is ready. Pre-payment by credit or debit card is required. Park in front of the ice cream deck. Call when you arrive and staff will bring the order to you. For more info and a shopping list visit https://www.weaversorchard.com/curbside-pick-up/.
If you are looking for boredom busters for children, Pennsylvania's Americana Region's new Kids Korner activity page may be just the ticket. A burgundy button on the homepage directs parents and kids to the page. For more info visit https://www.visitpaamericana.com/.
Did you hear? Reading-based Empire Group has donated 15,000 N95 masks to both Reading Hospital and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. Empire said it will also be donating 600 N95 face masks to the city of Reading.
Despite the current health challenges, Safe Berks continues to provide free, confidential services to local survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours each day. All services are available in English and Spanish. For victims who are seeking crisis services, including requests for shelter and medical advocacy, please call the 24-hour hotline at 844.789.SAFE (7233) or text SAFE BERKS to 20121. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. For legal questions, please call 610.373.1206, ext. 107, and leave a message. Legal Advocates will call clients back. All Counseling Support Groups are postponed at this time, but free individual counseling is still available. For requests for counseling, call 610.373.1206, ext. 606, and counselors will call you back. For questions about how you can help Safe Berks, email FrancineS@SafeBerks.org.
Interested in getting your vehicle sanitized? Performance Toyota in Sinking Spring is offering the service to everyone for free! For more info and to schedule call 610.580.9048.
Nature's Garden Natural Foods & Shoes in Exeter Township has moved to curbside service only at this time. Call 610.779.3000 to place your pick-up order. You must be a current VIP rewards member so they can view your history. Please be prepared with your credit card info. They will provide you with a pick-up time. When you arrive, pull to the curb, call the store, and give your name and vehicle description and your order will be brought to your car with your receipt in the bag. Bagged merchandise can be placed on the curb for you to retrieve, or roll down your passenger window and they will place your order inside your vehicle, or pop your trunk and they will place your items inside.
Hollywood Cleaners in Wyomissing is now open. Current store hours are Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm, and Sat: 8am-2pm. Other locations remain closed at this time, but will reopen soon. For more info and assistance, please call 610.375.4515.
Myer Hill Chicken & Verdant View Farm in nearby Lancaster County together are raising clean and healthy meat that truly travels from pasture to plate. Our pastured poultry and grass-fed beef are grazing in symbiosis to ensure a healthy life for the animal and quality product for the consumer. Purchase whole chicken and/or a bulk or smaller custom orders of beef through contacting the farmers at verdantviewapprentice@gmail.com. Learn more about the farmers at myerhillchicken.com and verdantview.com.
Did you hear? 8 Oaks Farm Distillery, New Tripoli, provided 100 cases of hand sanitizer to Berks County DES for use by emergency services personnel and other community responders in Berks County.
Lilibea's in West Reading has started The Comfort Project. Your $50 sponsorship allows Lilibea's staff to pick out some of their most comfy and calming pieces, pack them up, and deliver them to deserving nurses and medical staff. All bags will be labeled with sizes (XS-4XL) and a brief description. Visit here: http://lilibeas.com.
Connect with the Reading Public Museum to enjoy free online star shows each Wednesday. The Neag Planetarium at the Reading Public Museum and Spitz, Inc. release a full-length Star Show and education guide (when available). Links to resources can be found on the RPM Facebook page posted each Wednesday or the RPM website at www.readingpublicmuseum.org/planetarium.
The Museum is also working to bring the RPM Collection to your devices during shutdown. Visit on Facebook and on Instagram for highlights from the collection and special exhibitions, as well as word searches, online puzzles, and games to keep you connected to the art inside the galleries.
Starting Thursday, March 19, Berks residents can connect with someone at a new COVID-19 Help Center in one of two ways, either by calling 610.320.6150 or by emailing COVID@CountyofBerks.com. Staff will be available to answer phones and respond to emails daily between 8am-7pm.
We will continually update this page as new information is received...
Stay safe and healthy!
